Spark plug cover



Jan. 12, 1931. H. JOHNSON 2,067,533

SPARK PLUG COVER Filed March 25, 1935 Patented Jan. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Johnson Brothers Corporation,

Waukegan, 111., a corporation oi Indiana Application March 25, 1935, Serial No. 12,901 10 Claims. (01. 123-143) This invention relates in general to a spark plug cover .for internal combustion engines and has more particular reference to such a cover as 10 provision of a lid or protector which extends over a spark plug or spark plugs which usually project from an internal combustion engine, for the purpose of protecting them.

A further object of the invention is in theme- 16 vision of means for yieldingly closing the covers and maintaining them in closed position.

A further object of the invention is in the provision of an improved latch or holding means for keeping a cover of this kind in closed posiso tion.

A still fm'ther object of the invention is in the provision of a cover for the wiring, spark plugs and electrical connections 01' an internal combustion engine to provide a smooth outer casing as without objectionable projections, and providing a stream-line or smooth outer appearance which will minimize resistance to passage through the air and also may be shaped to provide a pleasing outer contour.

80 In the accompanying drawing illustrating prei'ertl'edembodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the power head of an internal combustion engine as used in outboard motors with a protecting cover in accord- 86 ance with this invention, in partially open position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view or a casing;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section of a modification: 4 Fig. 4 is a section'and Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of a spring pressed latch for a cover 01' this kind.

In operating certain types of internal combustion engines, particularly those used in conne.c-

that the spark plugs and connections be protected from the water, but also that for high speed operation the casing shall present a smooth outer 50 appearance and contour which has a minimum air resistance.- Itis also desirable to cover or protect these parts so that the spark plugs are not easily short-circuited, and on the other hand that they are not exposed so that the hands of an upas rator will come in contact with them during option with outboard motors, it is desirable not only eration to protect the operator from burning and from electrical shock.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, a portion of an outboard motor power head is shown in Fig. 1 having an engine bloc or cast- 5 ing Ill with an overlying fuel tank ll, and with spark plugs I2 projecting from one side of the bloc Ill. At the other-side of the bloc I0 is a mufller I3 and it is desirable, in order to present a smooth and balanced appearance, to have the spark plugs and connections enclosed or covered in a manner to resemble the munler.

It is also found in outboard motor operation, and more particularly when such motors are used for racing, that water lodging upon the spark plugs or connections, or coming in contact with them, may cause misilring and consequent lack of power, and in some cases may even interfere with the steering and running of the engine at slow speed. For these reasons a casing or cover I5 is provided which is connected by a hinge IS with a casing part l1 fixed to the engine head or the bloc III by means of a projection 20 and a bolt 2| in such a way that when the cover I5 is closed it will extend over and entirely protect and cover one or more of the spark plugs l2 and any connections or conductors l8 therei'or. These conductors are led out through openings surrounded by gaskets I9 in the fixed portion ll of the casing so that they will not interfere with the opening or closing movement of the cover II.

In order to hold the cover yieldingly in open and in closed position a spring 22 having a coil 23 intermediate its ends is connected at one end to an opening 24 in the projection 20 and at the other end to a projection 25 at the inner side of the cover I! adjacent the hinge [6 thereof so that when the cover is open as shown in the broken outline in Fig. 2, the ends of this spring will be on the side of the hinge l6 tending to hold it in open position. When the cover is moved so that the outer end of the spring in the projection 25 is moved beyond the center line including the hinge, the spring will tend to close the cover and hold it in closed position. An outer projection 26 may be provided to facilitate opening and closing the cover it desired.

In the form shown by Fig. 3, a spark plug 30 is shown extending into a removable engine head ll at ,an angle thereto so that a shallow cover 32 is connected by a hinge 33 directly to the head 3| and has a. latch engaging a projection 35 at the side of the head for holding the cover yieidingly in closed position.

Instead of a latch as shown in Fig. 3 or a spring as shown in Fig. 2 a separate spring latch as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be used. In this case the engine head or bloc 4|) has a projection ll engaged'by a hook 42 at one end of a latch 43, the other end of which hasa projection 44 extending through a slot 45 in a cover 46 and this projection 44 being connected by a spring ll to a projection 48 inside of the cover. Intermediate the ends this latch has a knob 49 for moving the hooked end into and out of engagement with the projection 4| and the latch being drawn tight by the sliding movement of the projection 44 in the slot 45 of the cover.

With covers of this kind the spark plugs and electrical connections are protected and may conform to any desired shape or outline, thus improving the appearance of the entire motor or engine and minimizing resistance to its passage through the air.

I claim:

1. An internal combustion engine having an exposed spark plug, and a normally closed cover therefor hinged to the engine for making a tight connection with its outer surface and movable to cover and uncover the spark plug. r

2. The combination of an internal combustion engine having a projecting spark plug and connections thereto and a hinged normally closed cover therefor hinged to the engine for closing tightly against its outer surface and movable to cover and to uncover the spark plug and connec- 'tions.

3. In combination, an internal combustion engine having an exposed spark plug, a cover hinged to the engine to extend over the plug and spring means tending to keep the cover in closed position.

4. The combination with an internal combustion engine having a mufiler on one side, a spark plug and its connections on itheother side, and a cover for the spark plug and its connections conforming in shape to that of the muiiler to present a uniform appearance on both sides.

. .7. A protector for spark plugs comprising a cover hinged at one side to a fixed support and movable over the spark plug, and a spring extending across the hinge and connected at one end to the cover and at the other end to a fixed support and operative to hold the cover open or closed.

8. An internal combustion engine having an exposed spark plug and connections therefor, an enclosing casing for said exposed parts comprising a part fixed to the engine and through which the connections extend to the outside thereof, a movable part supported by the fixed part and operative to cover and uncover the exposed parts, and a spring connected to the fixed and movable parts for holding the movable part in either of its two limiting positions.

9. A structure in accordance with claim 8 in which the movable casing part is hinged to the fixed part, and the spring is connected at its ends to theflxed and movable parts and extends transversely of the hinge so that the end connected to the movable part is at opposite sides of a line through the hinge and the fixed connection, to

hold the movable part yieldingly in open and in closed position.

10. A structure in accordance with claim 8 in which the movable casing part is hinged to the fixed parts, and spring actuated means connecting the parts to retain the movable casing part yieldingly in closed position.

HARRY L. JOEISON.

.3 l s c L A l M E R 2,067 ,533.-Harry L. Johnson, Waukegan, Ill. SPARK PLUG COVER. Patent dated January Brothers Engineering Corporation.

12, 1937. Disclaimer filed May 6", 1942, by the assignee, Johnson Hereby disclaims claims 1 and 2 of said Letters Patent.

[Ofitetal Gazette June 2, 1942.]

as shown in Fig. 2 a separate spring latch as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be used. In this case the engine head or bloc 4|) has a projection ll engaged'by a hook 42 at one end of a latch 43, the other end of which hasa projection 44 extending through a slot 45 in a cover 46 and this projection 44 being connected by a spring ll to a projection 48 inside of the cover. Intermediate the ends this latch has a knob 49 for moving the hooked end into and out of engagement with the projection 4| and the latch being drawn tight by the sliding movement of the projection 44 in the slot l of the cover.

With covers of this kind the spark plugs and electrical connections are protected and may conform to any desired shape or outline, thus improving the appearance of the entire motor or engine and minimizing resistance to its passage through the air.

I claim:

1. An internal combustion engine having an exposed spark plug, and a normally closed cover therefor hinged to the engine for making a tight connection with its outer surface and movable to cover and uncover the spark plug. r

2. The combination of an internal combustion engine having a projecting spark plug and connections thereto and a hinged normally closed cover therefor hinged to the engine for closing tightly against its outer surface and movable to cover and to uncover the spark plug and connec- 'tions.

3. In combination, an internal combustion engine having an exposed spark plug, a cover hinged to the engine to extend over the plug and spring means tending to keep the cover in closed position.

4. The combination with an internal combustion engine having a mufiler on one side, a spark plug and its connections on itheother side, and a cover for the spark plug and its connections conforming in shape to that of the muiiler to present a uniform appearance on both sides.

. .7. A protector for spark plugs comprising a cover hinged at one side to a fixed support and movable over the spark plug, and a spring extending across the hinge and connected at one end to the cover and at the other end to a fixed support and operative to hold the cover open or closed.

8. An internal combustion engine having an exposed spark plug and connections therefor, an enclosing casing for said exposed parts comprising a part fixed to the engine and through which the connections extend to the outside thereof, a movable part supported by the fixed part and operative to cover and uncover the exposed parts, and a spring connected to the fixed and movable parts for holding the movable part in either of its two limiting positions.

9. A structure in accordance with claim 8 in which the movable casing part is hinged to the fixed part, and the spring is connected at its ends to theflxed and movable parts and extends transversely of the hinge so that the end connected to the movable part is at opposite sides of a line through the hinge and the fixed connection, to

hold the movable part yieldingly in open and in closed position.

10. A structure in accordance with claim 8 in which the movable casing part is hinged to the fixed parts, and spring actuated means connecting the parts to retain the movable casing part yieldingly in closed position.

HARRY L. JOEISON.

.3 l s c L A l M E R 2,067 ,533.-Harry L. Johnson, Waukegan, Ill. SPARK PLUG COVER. Patent dated January Brothers Engineering Corporation.

12, 1937. Disclaimer filed May 6", 1942, by the assignee, Johnson Hereby disclaims claims 1 and 2 of said Letters Patent.

[Ofitetal Gazette June 2, 1942.] 

